Christian conservatives who advocate for personhood often decry bills that fall short of abolishing abortion as “and then you get to kill the baby” bills.

For nearly five hours Thursday, the Iowa House of Representatives debated a bill that made that figurative statement far more literal. House Democrats threw every legislative and procedural weapon in their arsenal in an effort to thwart the Republican-led effort, but came up short.

Essentially, the bill establishes a new section of code titled “Prerequisites for Abortion.”

The bill states that a physician performing an abortion shall certify the following in a woman’s medical record prior to performing an abortion:

the woman has undergone an ultrasound imaging of the unborn child that displays the child’s approximate age,

the woman is given the opportunity to see the unborn child by viewing the ultrasound image, and

the woman is given the option of hearing a description of her unborn child based on the ultrasound image and hearing the child’s heartbeat.

Under HF 573, a physician who does not comply with the law, if adopted, would be subject to license discipline pursuant to Iowa Code 148.6. The proposed legislation defines “abortion” as it is defined in Iowa Code 146.1.

Originally, the bill used the term “fetus” in lieu of “unborn child.” An amendment filed by state Rep. Greg Heartsill (R-Melcher-Dallas), which was approved on a voice vote, changed the wording.

Democrats, led by state Rep. Beth Wessel-Kroeschell (D-Ames), offered nearly 40 amendments to the bill, some the completely rewrote the entire bill – one sought to change it to an appropriations bill to fund Ebola vaccinations – while most sought to add onerous regulatory hoops.

Only a few of the amendments were ever actually voted on, and none of them were adopted. Most were heavily debated, and then withdrawn, in an effort to wear down the resolve of Republicans.

Democrats caucused twice for nearly an hour, and then nearly a half hour, respectively. Republicans caucused once for nearly 45 minutes.

When the final vote was called, Rule 75 was invoked by Speaker Kraig Paulsen (R-Hiawatha). Rule 75 requires all legislators present in the chamber to cast a vote on a question, unless excused before the question is called.

Stutsman and Wessel-Kroeschell later issued statements, which were entered into the House Journal, that they had inadvertently voted “aye” when they had intended for vote “nay.” That, however, does not change the official vote.